What is a Digital Back Pack?

Is it a collection of hardware and software that supports student learning. Some libraries are organizing such items for educational use. Many schools are beginninng to implement this across the curriculum. Researchers Basham, Perry, and Meyer have published their findings on the use of Digital Back Packs.
Basham, J. D., Meyer, H., & Perry, E. (2010). The design and application of the digital backpack. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(4), 339-359.

At Lake Erie College the Education Department is launching a pilot project to evaluate the feasibility of using Digital Back Packs to impact stuent achievement. Currently students enrolled in coursework in the Education Department at Lake Erie College (LEC) are using Digital Back Packs (DBP) as a resource for lesson development. A collaboration with Dr Colleen Blaurock and a graudate level course in DBP development will provide additional information with which to evaluate the impact.

What is in the Back Pack?

HARDWARE laptop - computer - iPad2 - digital camera - memory stick - GPS
SOFTWARE MS Office - Google Earth - Skype - Web 2.0 resources